2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII

Oct 23, 2003

Reviewed By

SCM Staff

Price as Tested

$30,062

Likes

Slick-shifting five-speed tranny; 2-liter, four-cylinder turbo puts out 276 horsepower and pushes your eyeballs into the back of your head when the boost comes on; molded seat fit perfectly; four-doors made getting kids in and out of the back easy.

Dislikes

No external temperature gauge; shifting up from fourth to fifth not smooth; large spoiler made me feel like I was being chased by an alien; above 100 mph, car felt disconcertingly light.

Verdict

This and the Hummer H2 were the only cars that have driven the neighborhood pre-teeners beserk when they rolled up. Checkout boys at the grocery store proposed to me, gas-station attendants fought with each other over who got to fill the tank. The Evo is a monster performance car, made famous by 2 Fast, 2 Furious. On boost, it just rips up the pavement. I put 600 miles on it, most cruising at ultra-legal speeds in the high deserts of eastern Oregon. This is a car that was born to run hard and run fast, and its edgy, race-bred performance nature comes through at every opportunity. At $30k, it has to be the 21st-century hot rod of choice.